Be Careful What You Copy -- Internal Distribution of "Press Packets" Results in $300,000 Settlement With SIAA
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIAA) has announced the first settlement in its Corporate Content Anti-Piracy Program (CCAP). Knowledge Networks, Inc., a market research company with offices in San Francisco, New York and elsewhere has agreed to pay SIIA $300,000 to settle copyright infringement claims based on Knowledge Networks' internal distribution of “press packets” on a regular basis to its own employees. These packets sometimes included copyrighted articles owned by the Associated Press, Reed Elsevier, and other SIIA members. As part of the settlement, Knowledge Networks agreed to implement an internal training program that will educate employees on copyright compliance and licensing of copyrighted materials. SIIA learned about Knowledge Networks' unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted materials in its "press packets" from a confidential tip.